This is a good post. I like to hear the differences, too.

 

Imagine you go over a patch of ice or accelerating hard and hit a slippery patch of water or something. A standard diff will send all of the power to the wheel that is slipping, which is exactly the wheel you don't want to get the power. You lose your control.

With a LSD, a clutch inside the diff sends power to the other wheel, so you actually have some traction.

Thats about all it does, but thats a pretty big thing.

 

The xenon HID headlights are just too cool...along with the LSD and traction control I think it is totally worth it.

 

LSD
Xenon headlights
Cruise control
Aluminum pedals
TCS
Homelink
Autodim rear view mirror.

Definatly worth getting the enthusiast...

 

Now that I have my Base model I will try to answer your question fairly.

First I think the price for either model is ridiculously low...and either is a great buy.

Of all the things on the list of differences....I think cruise control is the one I might get the most use out of, if I had it. The Z feels smooth and sounds quiet as you zip along at 60+ mph. I can easily see getting into speeding trouble on long trips by accidently going 90+ in 6th gear. (There is SOOOO much room left in 6th gear....that you feel like you are not "up to speed" yet)

The xenon headlights are the next thing...and that is just for coolness factor. I like the way they light up the night but hate the way oncoming traffic always flashed me thinking I was using highbeams.

Regarding..VDC, LSD...I would turn off VDC if I had it, but like the LSD. (I think I read on here when you turn one off, you turn both off)

The ONLY thing I really want for my base model is something to go in the empty NAV slot. My hope is that Nissan releases some products for all models for that spot. Stereo, rearview cameras, NAV aftermarket, XM radio, whatever.

Anyway..that was my 2 cents.

Again...both are great deals and I cannot believe the msrps will be this low in the future for the Z.

MBEGuy

 

besides looking cool, the HID's have proven to be much more useful than I had expected- not only do they do a great job lighting up the road ahead- but everything is very clear with minimal glare- for me, this has resulted in increased safety at night as well as reduced eye strain. Nobody has flashed me yet- remember that the car is very low to the ground- the lights are not at "eye level" for most other drivers...

Ethan

 

I'd HAVE to have cruise control as I travel 45 minutes each way to work every day and this car IS FAST. I even added cruise control to my Wrangler which is well..not so fast. Since there is not a mechanical linkage between the accel pedal to throttle body adding a J.C. Whitney cruise is not possible at least yet. The extra over the Base is worth it but both are great values.
BTW I ordered the Touring (for factory leather) This is one fantastic car in any trim - it puts the fun back in driving again.

 

don't forget the auto dimming mirror, its so useful, i really hate those tall suv head lights and HIDs when they are behind me. Now its not a problem at all. xenons are awesome too. its totally worth the money.

 

I have to second what Ethan said. I was expecting the xenon lights to be better, but wow! They throw down such an even, clear field of light that stretches from 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock. They also seem to be aimed well so as to not distract other drivers...I have yet to be flashed by another driver. I haven't seen them yet from outside the car at night, but that doesn't matter too much to me anyway...although the coolness factor is a nice perk. I am just very pleased with the improvement in clarity and field of vision the xenons give.

 

MBEGUY i ordered a base too, have a question for you:
when you shift hard, (redline shifts), like from 1st to second, do you spin the tires? if so does the rear end slide out? Im interested to know if there is lots of lost traction if you step on it, even if you floor it in second gear for example.. let me know.

 

the base has a solution for the tall suv's behind you, its called flooring it and watching the suv become a spec. hehe

 

Xenon, TCS, and Cruise control easily are worth 2k dollars.
If you get your base model and decide you want any of these you'll either be SOL or you'll be dropping some serious change down.

The Xenons alone are about a grand, and the Cruise Control is priceless when it comes to tickets/long drives

 

Just ran out in the parking lot and snapped these...good excuse to stare at my car for a few minutes!

 

kewl

 

I definately thought the E model was better than base for the bump in price. I am not sure however that you get that much more bang for the buck with the performance model however. The VDC would be nice, but the main thing for me was the trasction control as I will be driving mine year round. With ABS and TCS, and my Blizztracks I will be ok for a couple of months of lousy weather. Plus I like driving sideways and doing donuts in the snow. Front wheels cars suck at that!!!!

 

<hr>
LSD
Xenon headlights
Cruise control
Aluminum pedals
TCS
Homelink
Autodim rear view mirror.
<hr>
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You forgot <b>Dual Illuminated Visor Vanity </b>.
That's important unless you don't mind her nagging about it for the rest of your life with the car.